Art

04/15/2017

This year I walked. I didn't walk nearly enough nor did I come close to walking the miles endured by the real pilgrims - the ones who actually walk from Southern New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Nambe, Taos or Alcalde.

It was a beautiful day. Ravens played above head in the arroyo currents while pilgrims walked under them barely noticing the commotion overhead. Cars slowly drove past as parts of the roadway were full of people. As I passed groups of pilgrims, I heard some of their conversations. One group of women chanted rosaries in cadence. A young boy was talking on his cell phone about the week's basketball games and who had beaten who. Others had labored breath and wiped sweat from their brows.

Because I am not a Catholic, and my paternal grandfather was, I channeled him. I wondered what he would be thinking as he walked up and down the steep hills between Pojoaque and Chimayo proper. I guessed he would be so very focused on the reason for walking and what waited for him at the end of the road.

I turned my walk into a time for contemplation. Because I don't recite rosaries or voice prayers (but I respect those that do) I did other things. As I walked I made lists of what I was grateful for. I thought about our state's poverty. I worried about the scarcity of fresh water.

It was also time to take pictures - that is how I often express my world view. Here is a view of the walk through my lens.

For each long walk, it is necessary to have a locally crafted walking stick.

The drive through both Pueblos is lovely. Old growth Cottonwoods and Elms provided early shade for everyone.

The walkers were thin on this stretch. They were framed by our New Mexico skies.

Bearing crosses. Commitments to honor someone departed or for contemplation of our own issues.

The crosses are carried the entire distance and then left at the Santuario.

Looking back.

I have always known this stretch is dotted with crosses of various sizes. What I didn't know was how many of them there are. Walking gives a unique perspective of the landscape.

The competition for walker funds was fierce. I came across five different paletero carts. This one lifted a sugary treat as I took this shot.

Draping in the Pinons.

Once at Chimayo, the landscape changes. Artisans set up booths and merchants displayed their wares. Religious shirts for sale.

The Virgin Mary and Frida. Classic.

Handcrafted artwork. A cultural trifecta.

The line was long for hotdogs, snow cones and frito pies.

This is an intensely religious community of the extremely faithful. Our Lady is prominently displayed on an adobe wall. A table of sugary treats were for sale next to her. I bought a pickle from the kids manning the table.

This young man had a dog he called "Bully." Bully wasn't the dog's name but a new breed he spoke with us about. I am pretty convinced this doggie was half Chihuahua and half Pit Bull. He thanked us for liking his dog.

Travelers from all over. Most tired yet happy to have made it on Good Friday.

Grandpa and grandson. A snow covered peak in the background.

He walked to Chimayo from Alcalde. He found a decomposing cow skull on the way.

The skull was strapped to his back pack.

We each have our own cross to bear.

The informal processions were continuous. Groups of pilgrims walked together. They chanted and sang.

The formal procession began at noon. My talented partner took these beautiful procession shots.

I tried to send a text while we were waiting for the formal procession to begin. There was no service. About the same time I overheard a pilgrim tell someone "there is no service here. It is holy ground."

Maybe it was the canyon, or the high mesas, that made cell phone service scarce. Or, maybe, it really was because of the special spirit this beautiful place has. Watching these beautiful people brought tears to my eyes.

04/18/2015

Maybe the budget has been cut. Maybe they didn't have enough volunteers. Maybe they have run out of new, innovative ideas. Maybe there is infighting that has prevented the growth of the Albuquerque Founder's Day celebration.

What we do know is that we dig parades. We went to this year's celebration in anticipation of watching the Founders Day parade - a parade that has historically showcased our rich and diverse New Mexican culture. We left disappointed.

In years past we have seen tall, colorful puppets in the parade. It has also included a Native American presence packed full of color and sound.

This year it was a slow procession void of sound and enthusiasm. At least one banner carrier was holding up two signs (seriously, in New Mexico, there wasn't one "Lucero" to carry a banner?)

Despite the sad procession, there were some highlights that made us smile. The Mariachi Tradicional and Folklorico Fiesta Mexicana included Mariachi music and dancers who stomped and twirled in front of a large, happy crowd.

Baila

The tone changed and an upbeat buzz started with The Porter Draw. The crowd enjoyed these guys.

The procession.

Colores

Children for sale

What would a Birthday party be without Pinatas?

The Wild West in Plaza Viejo. The New Mexico Gun Fighters enthusiastically posed for us. They have live gunfights in the streets of Old Town on the second and fourth Sundays of every month.

The City's climbing wall. A nice quality of life project for the kids.

And who doesn't like a hot firetruck with some of Albuquerque's finest Firemen?

07/20/2014

What happens when the City of Albuquerque closes down Central between Washington and Girard?

Great things happen. Our historic main thoroughfare fills with people of every shape, age, sex and color. Burquenos from every neighborhood join with skaters, artisans, car junkies, dancers, performers and bystanders to enjoy a day and night together, on the same asphalt, under the same sun, clouds, stars and moon.

This years Summer Fest at Nob Hill was a good time. The crowds seem to be getting larger, and more diverse, for the Nob Hill Summer Fest party each Summer. We like this. Generally, Albuquerque gets along. City sponsored functions, like this one, faciliate community involvement like no other. Unless you want to eat, it is free to walk up and down Central to window shop, watch people, and, listen to really good music.

The City moves these festivities to different locations around Albuquerque - this is one of our favorites.

As usual a large number of cars were there to be seen and admired. Most were there to participate in the Neon Cruise at sunset.

A number of musicians performed throughout the festivities, we came across this soon to be famous little guitarist. He was the definition of adorable.

10/06/2013

Yesterday we spent some quality time at Old Town where San Felipe de Neri Catholic church was hosting its annual Santero Market . In conjunction with this arts market, the City of Albuquerque has coordinated some excellent music and dance for all to enjoy. The artisans at this event embody what is so very special about our cultural art history in New Mexico - they are authentic.

One artist stood out for us. Lorena Flores (daughter of artisan Carolyn Flores) draws and paints on wooden boards. Her color schemes are bold and bright. She is seven years old.

She has big stories behind her hand drawn, and painted, Retablos. We bought her lovely red and blue Retablo depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was a major art find for us.

The Santero Market runs through five today. Go see Lorena. She is in booth 18. Just precious, this little one.

04/21/2013

Last year's Founders Day celebration in Albuquerque was disappointing. The parade wasn't really a parade and the entire party felt disorganized. This year's Founders Day Celebration was much better. The procession (formerly known as the parade) was still a snore but the rest of the cultural activities made up for everything the procession wasn't. There was color, activity, dance, song, poetry and the smell of New Mexico cuisine in the air. We had a great time.

There was lots of activity at the Gazebo - Philippino dancers, poetry from Albuquerque's Poet Laureate, Hakim Bellamy, beautiful song from Gospel Singers, and, colorful Flamenco dancers whirling on stage. Several Era's of New Mexico history were celebrated in different sections of Old Town. Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Territorial Eras were all represented.

The founding families of Albuquerque walked into the Plaza with their coats of arms held high. They surrounded the Gazebo, most dressed in period garb.

The Albuquerque Filipino Cultural Group celebrated with dance, song, kites and the Tinikling.

The African American Showcase: poetry and song.

We stopped for some excellent dogs in between our photo hunts.

He can be found in front of Metro Court weekdays and downtown Friday and Saturdays.

There would be no celebration without Fry Bread.

Fabulous Native dancers northeast of the Gazebo.

The Matachines de Santo Rosario danced in the Mexican era village. Two drums and lots of men, women, and little ones, moving to the beat in elaborate costumes and headresses.

Last, but certainly not least, the Emcee of the show, Chuy Martinez, did an incredible job working the crowd and informing everyone about events all over Old Town.

And while this was not part of the Fiestas we are putting it here just because we love lowriders and Chevys :)

We didn't know what to expect but found an incredibly beautiful, and passionately created, array of hand crafted aprons hanging at the center. Intertwined with the graceful flows of a large, old, Cottonwood tree, the aprons hang.

The project is inspiring. The messages on the aprons are heart felt.

While the aprons showcase artistic bents and very personal reflections of self struggle, they also have strong messages about human limits and love. These aprons reflect the hearts and souls of the women who crafted them.

03/09/2013

At the corner of Walter and Roma, near a park and adjacent to the remains of a once powerful arroyo, sits Manuel's Food Mart. At first blush, Manuel's looks like any other neighborhood food mart - until you look at their eastern paned window. Each window pane is packed with interesting things: wood work, a doll sized bench, books, cups, and lots of pink flowers. A gut reaction took us inside.

A window that begs your curiosity and takes you on a quick journey into yester year.

It was magic. From the moment we pushed our way through the glass and wood front door, we were mesmerized.

We were greeted by Clara Sanchez Martinez. Her smile could light up a thousand dark New Mexican desert nights.

She walked us around the store and told us about her father, Manuel Sanchez, the original purveyor. His photograph hangs boldly on the wall, along with authentic photographs, posters and drawings of local and national politicians. The building was built in 1924 by Manuel Sanchez and has been family run since its doors first opened.

Fascinating artwork for a corner grocery store.

Tin ceilings and shelves stocked with colorful food and merchandise.

Clara introduced us to her son, Rick Martinez, a master wood craftsman. He and his father have a wood working area in the store. Their works of art are proudly displayed for their customers.

Inside, looking out.

A counter like no other. Spearmint gum, the First Family, Hillary Clinton and Senator Martin Heinrich.

While talking with Clara and Rick, we had ear to ear smiles on our faces. Their hospitality was extraordinarily gracious; and so typically New Mexican.

Clara was gracious enough to also impart some local history of when the "acequia madre" still ran next door, and yearly the July and August monsoons would flood the area down past Second St. north to Menaul.

New Mexican authenticity runs through the veins of this store. It begins at the tin ceilings, runs down the adobe walls over the politically charged decopauge, past the retro appliances, and around to the wooden front door where it meets the heart of the store - Clara. It is local, family owned and operated, and has been a fixture in our city since 1924.

12/16/2012

After first being shown at the LA 2012 Auto Show, Mister Cartoon'sGangster Squad inspired 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe was in
Albuquerque at the Cinemark Century Rio Theatre, as part of the tour promoting the film which is scheduled to open in theatres January 11, 2013.

KISS 97.3 was there spinning some tunes and Mr. Cartoon’s
SANCTIOND car care products were represented as well.

12/10/2012

Yesterday, at Platinum Motorsport in Los Angeles, Mister Cartoon's exclusively designed billboard for the upcoming feature film Gangster Squadwas unveiled. The renowned tattoo artist/muralist also customized
a 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe, inspired by the movie.

The ’39 custom Chevy will be in Albuquerque on Thursday, December 13 2012 5PM – at the
Cinemark Century Rio Theater. We have to wait ‘till January 11 to see the film,
in the meantime come and enjoy the car.

See the master at work below.

The mural will remain through January 2013 and can be seen off Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles.

07/15/2012

What do you get when you combine old cars, Blues, low riders, a barber shop and beautiful handcrafted bicycles? You get the Dukes Car Club car show in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Last weekend we ventured north for this event. We weren’t disappointed. It wasn’t a large show but it was colorful. A long line of vintage low riders, that sparkled in the post rain sun, sat in front of a barber shop on the main drag. A tent housed the Albuquerque Blues Connection. A taco truck provided food. An artist displayed his intriguing drawings. And, a family displayed their hand crafted bicycles.

The Dukes Car Club originated in LA. They’ve been around a long time; this is their 50 year anniversary. Their history can be found here. The Bernalillo chapter put on this particular show.

A row of beauties.

We spoke with Julie Duran about her partner's car, a 1948 Chevy Stylemaster that was fully restored...and low.

This low rider doesn't move up and down with hydraulics. It moves up and down by an elaborate compressed air system.

A beautiful '60 El Camino

Inside the Barber Shop we spoke with Mike Mirabal. He has been drawing since he was 16. His drawings were fascinating. They depicted a beautiful, and colorful, culture that is found in New Mexico. Cars, women, head bands, bling and shadows of death all came to life via his hand.

The Albuquerque Blues Connection played. Gritty harmonica playing that came straight from deep inside the belly of the bearded lead singer. We would like to see them again.

Last, but not least, a group of customized bikes that caught our eyes. All hand crafted and custom sized, we gazed at them in amazement. Bike riding has been elevated to another art form.